Rasmania 102

Ministering It's great when you can call a ride in a model-T replica "ministering."  Roy ministers to this couple in our ward.  They are both around 90 years old.  He doesn't act like it, and she didn't until she had some recent falls.  The first fall was in the temple and she hit her head on the steps.  She experienced some miracles because there was every reason that the fall could have ended her life.  This car is her pride and joy.  They take great pleasure in taking the kids in the neighborhood for rides.  It probably made their day to have us be willing to climb in the rumble seat for a ride!       Caitlyn took a quick ride around the block, too.  Yuna was excited to show us she lost another tooth. My first harvest this summer.  Our peas have never done better.  I also got a few raspberries.  It's hard when we're not supposed to use too much water.  We water our vegetables, but our grass is pretty...

 Happy Father's Day to my wonderful husband and father of my children.  We have a great friendship.  We spent a lot of time working together this week cleaning up and organizing our new place in Washum (near Manilla on the Wyoming side).  I had told Roy after we bought the trailer a couple of years ago, that the next time we made a large purchase, we should do it with two older people in mind instead of 38 people and growing, but that's not the way your dad thinks.  Everything he does, he does in love and service to others.  This is a way for him to express his love and create opportunities for our family to be together.  It has always been important to him that we play together as a family.  I see my sons and daughters creating family bonds with their own families and I'm grateful that they have chosen to be (soon to be, or eventually to be) parents.  Catharine greeting a Buddah at a Chinese restaurant in Evanstan My own father was a wonderf...

Youth Conference  In my childhood, if I ever said to my mother, "I can't wait until Christmas," or I can't wait for school to be over," or any other wish that indicated I wanted time to pass quickly, my mom would respond, "Don't wish your life away."  I have tried to live according to that adage, but I admit, sometimes there are events or days that I want over.  Yesterday was youth conference.  If I was Roy, I wouldn't have stressed or seen it as different than any other day.  However, since I am not Roy, and my personality is decidedly type B, this is an event that I've stressed over for awhile.  I have to admit--I'm happy it's over.   It turned out to be a great activity.  As I mentioned previously, I felt that everything was coming together the way the Lord wanted it to.  The events of the day seemed to confirm this.  I didn't hike--I drove around to the end of the trail (the Ensign Peak Trailhead in Salt Lake) to meet the kid...

Memorial Day We celebrated Memorial Day at home with our family.  We're grateful that Tom's grave is close by so that we can all easily visit and think about him.  We are also grateful to Andy for his past service, and to others who risk their lives as they serve our country.   It was great to have everyone over (except Elise and family).  The kids especially enjoy getting together with their cousins. Yuli, Cam, Dojin, Effie Dan, Yuli, Jieun, Sara and Nick;  Catharine and Camden Camden--chillin' with a book Roy attended the funeral of a 1st cousin once removed (Vicki Smith - daughter of Doris Cliff - Sister to Teenie Montgomery Rasband) this past week.  I didn't know her at all, and I had a doctor's appointment, so he went without me.  The picture on the left is Roy with his 2nd cousin Carolyn Erekson who is in our ward.   Below are:  Chuck Madsen (2nd cousin) and Roy's Uncles Noel and Uncle Lynn Rasband with Lynn's new wife, Karen....